The Noble Heiress & Her Ancient Foe

Chapter 15

*Alina*

Life has a weird way of taking twists and turns to lead you to your destiny. I just couldn’t imagine that my life turned out the way it did. As I stood out here on my balcony, watching the sunrise, I recall how it felt when I did that the morning before I came to the Dark Moon Pack to embrace my destiny. Little did I know, I would find love, acceptance, and comfort in my mate. My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on my bedroom door. I found an Omega standing there with a silver tray in her hands that held a cup of coffee, a bouquet of lavender roses, and an ivory card to accompany it. I smiled at her, matching her smile. “Alpha Malik sent this for you, Luna. He also wanted me to give you this,” the Omega said as she lifted a medium black gift bag in her hand. I only now noticed it. “Thank you, please bring it inside,” I told her as I opened the door wider and stepped aside to let her in. She set the bag down on the bed and placed the bouquet on the vanity. After that, she gave me the coffee and the card and then left. I couldn’t express in words how I feel right now. I feel like a giddy school girl who received a secret note from her crush. I let out a little giggle, and sit down next to the bag, while I open the card. “My love, if these roses could speak they would tell you how I felt when I first laid eyes on you after so many years. You brought a sense of calm into my turbulent life. My happiness knew no bounds after you said you wanted to become my Luna, my Malika (queen in Arabic). I promise to always treat you like the goddess you are. Please accept my humble gift and meet me in front of the castle at 4 pm.”

Wow. Just Wow. Who knew Armaan was so romantic. I held the card close to my chest while I closed my eyes tightly trying to savor the giddy feeling that threatened to take me over again. Now I really want to see what’s in this bag. I placed the bag on my lap and removed the black tissue paper. Inside was a beautiful red quarter-sleeve, floor-length, off the shoulder dress. It was perfect. Okay, I’m smitten. This man is stealing my heart. I know that this relationship started off so weirdly, the fact that I knew him when I was little, he views my father as his enemy, and he lied to get me to leave my home and pack. With all of these things, I still can’t deny that there is a connection that I have with him. Plus, he has been honest. He owned up to his lie. He even gave me a choice. He gave me a choice to leave him, and reject our bond; knowing that the pain he would experience would be worse than death. I can see his genuine love in his eyes. You can’t place force on love. Try how you may, you can’t ignite that spark of love in someone’s heart if there is nothing there. But, once the heart is set aflame with the heat of love, try how you may, you’ll never be able to extinguish it. (Or ignore it…)

*Third POV*

Armaan nervously waited for his Malika to meet him in front of the castle. He looked dashing in his usual black slacks and a black button-down shirt. His black hair was tousled because of the number of times he kept running his hand through it, out of anxiety. But, that only made him look even more devastatingly handsome. Alina took her time to get dressed. She let her hair fall in soft curls that stopped at her hourglass hips, and she wore a cat-eye eyeliner look but chose to keep the rest of the makeup to a minimum. She decided to wear black block heeled sandals, and her matching black shoulder bag to complete the look. The red dress only served to complement her fair complexion even more. As she walked towards Armaan, confidently, wearing a genuine smile, Armaan felt his chest tighten. He was finding it difficult to breathe. All he could do was thank the moon goddess for blessing him with a goddess for a mate. 

Reaching out for her hand, Armaan placed a small kiss on her knuckles and said, “You look so beautiful bldy 'iilha (My goddess in Arabic).” Alina’s cheeks lit up in a soft blush after hearing his words. “Shukraan (Thank you in Arabic),” Alina replied. Armaan escorted her to the car, and after they were both seated he started driving them away to a magical surprise. When Alina saw where he had brought them, she couldn’t help but audibly awe at the scenery. Near a clear lake, Armaan arranged for a picnic setup. The picnic blanket was covered in a strand of fairy lights, and near the picnic area was a small bonfire. It was like the place was taken right out of a Pinterest pin. “I’m glad you liked the surprise,” Armaan said as he led her to the picnic blanket. They ate together, made jokes, and talked about everything and everything. When it was getting colder, Armaan pulled Alina into his lap and wrapped his arms around her as they sat near the fire. Alina turned her head to look up at Armaan, he was staring off in the distance. “Armaan, thank you for everything. This was truly a great surprise.” “Thank you for being the light of my life,” Armaan replied. “Do you know why I bought you a red dress?” Armaan asked Alina. “No,” she replied. “I wear black a lot, not just because it’s my favorite color, but because I truly felt that only darkness was left in my life; until I found out you were my mate.” Alina stayed silent, to allow Armaan to continue to speak. She only lightly stroked his arm, so he would know she was listening. “When I found out you were my mate from the witches that treated me, I was so angry. At first, I couldn’t believe how fate could be so cruel.” Armaan closed his eyes and took a deep breath before continuing. “But, the moment I saw you,” “--at the ball, right?” Alina cut in. “Yeah, but how did you know?” Armaan questioned her. “Lux told me. She told me that our mate is here but he’s hiding,” Alina replied as she looked up into his eyes offering a soft smile. “I wanted to pull you into my arms right there and then,” Armaan said as he leaned closer to her ear until his words were barely a whisper, “especially when your hips were hypnotizing me by the way you danced.” Alina couldn’t help but blush at his teasing. Armaan chuckled then gave her a kiss on the cheek before continuing. “I forgot about all of the hatred in my life when you came in like a light to light up my darkness. That’s why I bought you a red dress. You are the brightness of my darkness.” “Just like the names of our wolves!” Alina observed. “My wolf is named Lux (Light in Latin), and your wolf is named Nox (Night in Latin).” Armaan turned Alina to face him, and his bright blue eyes darkened momentarily, “that’s right Habibi,” Nox surfaced to acknowledge his mate. Alina put a hand on Armaan’s cheek and caressed him, as Armaan’s eyes slowly turned bright blue again. He put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a small black heart-shaped box. He opened it to reveal a silver moonstone ring. “This has been passed down to every Luna in this pack, I want you to wear it.” Alina felt her eyes watering a little, as she became emotional. “I would be honored to.” With that, Armaan slipped it onto her left ring finger and pulled her in for a passionate kiss.

Far away, the old woman kept an eye on the couple. Her jealousy consumed her and looking at the love that was continually growing between the two bothered her. Her failed, tragic love life was part of it, but the stronger their bond became the more likely it would be for her plan to fail. And, if her plan failed, how would her sons take over as Alphas of the two oldest and strongest packs? There had to be a way to end this. At least for now, she could spoil their fun. She looked up at the sky, muttered the ancient Sumerian spell to summon a thunderstorm, and soon enough, the romantic atmosphere changed to a gloomy one. Alina and Armaan rushed to gather their things and ran off to their car. As they sped away, the old hag laughed as she finally made up her mind about a way to kick off her plan.